Teacher's Friend Pocket Scarf

I got a couple photos from my friend of some holiday projects I completed. These scarves are my own design and were given to a couple ladies on my b/f's side of the family. I had fun making them and I might make myself one....it would come in handy. When I do, I will copy down the pattern and put it on my pattern page.

The first scarf was made from Bernat Worsted....the big skeins. The blue one was made with Simply Soft. I call it the "Teacher's Friend" because I wish I had had one when I was teaching...would have helped at recess time. :)

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We Are Experiencing Technical Difficulties.....

This is VERY frustrating. I had a bunch of holiday gifts to show but my camera decided to conk out on me. :( I thought it was the battery but it wasnt...so I spent money on a battery I didnt really need. I gave the camera to a friend who is supposed to look at it but with the holidays, he really hasnt had the time.

I cant really complain....that camera has been working perfectly for 7 years. Nothing lasts forever. If I cant get it fixed, I will have to get a new camera. In the meantime, I havent gone anywhere. I am still here, waiting for Christmas and still crocheting some last minute gifts. I want to wish every one of you who visits my blog (and who celebrates Christmas) a very happy and safe holiday and a very prosperous New Year. I will post again soon!

Love,
Sandy

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Two Little Mittens....

.....but not for kittens. :)

I wanted to make some mittens for Christmas gifts but was having trouble finding a pattern that was more than just a tube with a hole for a thumb. I was very happy to find THIS pattern (scroll down to the last row of pattern links). However, it called for baby yarn and I was not liking the result. So I decided to use a sport (DK) weight yarn and this is how they come out.....


They are a little small for me, but that means they would fit a small woman's hand....I would just have to add a couple rows for the hand and thumb and they would be perfect. I like the pattern because there is a thumb shaping added which makes the thumb more like a thumb instead of just something sticking out the side. Hope that makes sense. :)

They are an easy pattern, but I think they are really nice. Depending on the color, they would work for any gender. Give them a try!

Ok....back to the Christmas gifts.

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A Touch of Antiquity

I was searching for a nice hostess gift I could give this Thanksgiving when I came across the pattern for this bread cloth....I thought it was perfect! I dont work much with thread, mainly because of the hooks (Note to self...need to get thicker handled steel hooks). But this cloth only took me 4 days of off and on work to complete. I love the design. You can find the pattern HERE.

The pattern calls for size 20 thread with a size 9 hook, but I used size 10 thread with a size 7 hook because thats small enough. :) I also used ecru instead of white thread because I like that antique look. This would even make a nice gift for a church to cover the Communion bread plate. If you like filet and you need a little gift, this might fit the bill. I am planning on making another one for a Christmas gift....its already on the hook!

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Going Around Again

I really liked that pinwheel pattern that I made the coaster out of and I wondered if I could use it for something else? I also have a bunch of sock yarn that I didnt necessarily have to make socks with. Put the 2 together and I came up with this beret....

Its easy, although the sc makes it a bit slow when you get nearer the end. I used Serenity Sock Weight with a size "G" hook. I love the way the yarn follows the rhythm of the pattern. The brim I improvised with alternating dc and sc rows, decreasing as I went along. Then I crab stitched around the edge to finish it off. I am going to keep it for a Christmas gift and I already started another beret using Elann Esprit, which is too thick for crocheted socks. And that one I am keeping for myself. :)

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Outside the Box

My latest swap involved a fancy facecloth. You have no idea how many patterns for crocheted facecloths I went through, only to think, "meh".....nothing at all interesting OR fancy. So I got to thinking.....who says you can't use an afghan square for a facecloth? Who, indeed?

So I went on a search through various squares and I found this---->

Its sure fancy. And its not TOO lacy so that it will work well for washing. Actually I had to leave off several rounds because it would have been TOO big and I put a picot edging around it that wasnt in the original pattern. But you can find the pattern for the entire square HERE.

My partner liked her new facecloth......especially the flower in the center, which was the ONLY thing about this square that I wasnt sure about. Glad I was wrong.

So make some fancy facecloths for yourself or for gifts....its that time of year, again. :)

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Baby Snuggly

I just finished making this outfit for my son to give as a gift to friends who had a baby a few weeks back. This is one of the prettiest baby outfits I have ever made. I am huge fan of ShiFio's Patterns.....I have about 5 of them now. They arent hard but they are SO pretty...and they arent expensive, either.....they come as PDF's.

This is a Snuggly....essentially its a wearable blanket. Again, I used Emily as my model. This is a 0-3 mos. size, but it has room for growth. Emily is actually more of a preemie sized doll at 18". I did change one thing in the pattern. You are supposed to sew the bottom closed but I chose to leave it open so the baby could wear it longer....you dont have to gather the bottom. Its a very loose garment on purpose, especially the hood. Its just meant to cover the head so if the baby turns its head, it wont smother. The neck is also made loose. But the garment is a good weight....perfect for its purpose. I used 1 1/2 skeins of pink Patons Beehive Baby Sport yarn, one skein of white and an I hook...it called for a G but I wasnt getting the gauge with that. I did well buying the trims....the lace was on sale for 50 cents a yard....and it took 6 yds. The buttons were 99 cents for 5.... I needed ten. The little roses were also 99 cents a pkg.

If you like making baby clothes, like I do, check out the patterns. I really enjoyed making this, and I will be making more from patterns from the same designer. You can sell the items you make from her patterns, too, which is nice of her.

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Another Swap

I just finished my next swap project....this Pinwheel Coaster. The original pattern is for a basic, single layer piece but I am not really happy unless I take something basic and embellish it. Using size 10 crochet cotton and a size 7 steel hook, I made a sc circle for a back, sandwiched a CD between, sc'd it all together and added a beaded edging. I hope my partner approves. :)

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Knitting on a Crochet Blog??

Sacrelige! Well, no, not really. I just wanted to crow a bit. :) When I was about 8 years old, my mother gave me a partial skein of bright pink baby yarn and a pair of size 2 needles and taught me how to garter stitch, English style. All I ever made was a very funny looking rectangle that I never learned how to bind off. That was my only foray into knitting.

Fast forward many years. I really wanted to learn to knit, but I wanted to learn Continental style, since thats closest to how you crochet and I figured it would be more natural for me. I tried over and over, got disgusted and quit. I bought many books, looked at many videos but STILL I couldnt get it. Well, about 3 days ago, I sat down again with a new book and tried again. I took a photo of what I did and I posted it on Rav and asked if I was doing it right. Well, I found out I wasnt doing it WRONG, but I wasnt doing it the way it was really supposed to be done. So I went back to the videos. Tried weaving the yarn around my fingers the way it all the ladies were showing....but it was awkward and I felt like a 5 year old. Then one lady told me to try holding the yarn whatever way I felt comfortable....after all, there are no KNITTING POLICE to keep me from doing otherwise. So I took her advice. I started holding everthing just the way I would hold it when crocheting. And the clouds parted! And I started knitting. And it was good! LOL! So, behold my first knitting project....Grandmother's Favorite Dishcloth.....

Its not perfect, but to me its just beautiful. Its something I never thought I could do. And I can actually USE it! That makes it even better.
I will continue to practice this knitting thing...he,he... But it will never change my love for crochet. I just wanted to prove I could do it. Thanks for reading.....and....

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Seashell Tote

This was a spur of the moment project that I found in the Summer 2009 issue of Interweave Crochet. I never made a tote like this before and I liked the design. I especially like it because you can add rows to the base and it doesnt affect the pattern....you only have to adjust the handle row accordingly. You can also use just about any cotton or acrylic yarn for it. It makes a great beach or market tote and its very easy. Might give it as a gift....not sure yet.


I used Bernat Cool Crochet and a G hook for the body of the tote....and F hook for the handle portion. Cool Crochet is a nice cotton blend yarn. And now that its available in 8.5 oz skeins, its even better. Its on the list of discontinued yarns but you can still find it at the craft stores. If you can get a copy of the Summer IC magazine, this one is a great carry along project. Give it a try!

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One More.... :)

I decided to show you the other piece I made for my partner. This is called the Starburst Hotpad. For a first attempt, it came out pretty well. Its a neat proceedure. You can find the pattern HERE, and you can find a video that explains how to create the starburst HERE. I didnt find the video till AFTER I was finished but I did figure it out on my own eventually.

I liked this one so much, I made another one for myself....

So now that I have the technique down, I can make more pretty easily and I dont need the pattern now. Give it a try.

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More Kitch

Working on a potholder swap that I have to send out by the 8th. So being the efficient person that I am, I decided to make my potholder ahead of time by starting it before I got paired up and surprise my partner by mailing it off right away. Thats the first one.....from the Spring Hotpads/Potholders pattern from Annie's POTD. You may have that one saved if you follow the free patterns. I got a nice e-mail from my partner saying she doesnt care about the color....except she doesnt like pink. OH NO! :) So I dove into potholder patterns and I found the Clownfish (you can find the pattern HERE). A really easy pattern EXCEPT for weaving in the ends. If you hate that, you might want to make the fish in a single color. :)

I will probably make another potholder for my partner, NOT in pink :)....and send her 2, since I still have some time. The flower potholder I will hang onto for another swap.

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Still Here

I know its been awhile since I have posted. I have NOT stopped crocheting....just seems like I am only adding to my already big list of WIP's. I am frogging a couple projects that I am not happy with. Not that they are coming out wrong....they just dont LOOK right on me. Not a major deal. I have been involved with some quickie swaps but forgot to take photos....DUH! Oh well. I promise I WILL take pics of the things I am making for the new swap. Potholders again.....but different ones. I finished one and it came out really nice. Why is it I always make nice things and have to give them away?....LOL! Anyway, when I finish the second one (should be a day or 2) I will post pics.....I think you will like them. :)

I started an outing set for a baby and finished the top. Not sure if I am going to keep it or not. I will post a pic of that, too. I did make a mistake in it but it was a mistake of omission so no one would realize it.......doesnt affect the look at all . Still, I bought better yarn to make it again. Might just donate it to charity. Or maybe someone out there might want to buy it.

My b/day was last week. I treated myself with some money my bro sent to me and went to my LYS. Got some nice baby DK, Mary Beth Temple's book, Hooked For Life and the Mission Falls Goes Crochet pattern booklet. Nearly $100 for everything, but it was nice to be able to spend some money in a local business instead of the BBS's all the time.

Thats about all the catch up news for now. I passed my Blogiversary again. Its been 2 years now that I have been recording my crochet life. Its fun and I hope that everyone that comes here enjoys what I share. I will be back real soon with more projects.

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Sydney's Bobble Dress

Actually, the pattern is called Coco's Bobble Dress. The pattern is VERY detailed with many photos of the WIP, so check it out. I think its a cute dress. I did use Cascade Heritage to make it which isnt really appropriate for a dress to be worn in the summer, but I figure its not a play dress and she can wear it with a short sleeve blouse or shirt indoors in the A/C. I might make another one with cotton blend sock yarn, but cotton yarns are even heavier. We'll see :)

I havent blocked it yet...thats the next project. And I bought 4 hanks of the Cascade when I didnt even need 2....so I have more than 2 hanks left. Might have to make something else with it. Any ideas? Each hank is 437 yds.

I am involved in a potholder swap on K&C....looking forward to showing off my potholder here soon!

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Lacy Layette

I have always enjoyed making baby outfits and since I haven't made anything for a couple years, I felt like crocheting a baby layette. I have several patterns I have never tried, so I went into my file and found Leisure Arts booklet #2937 with this pattern on the cover.

I used Bernat Softee Baby yarn....soft but VERY splitty. Still it makes a nice set. I let my doll Emily model it for the photos. Although it's a 5 piece set, it's only a 3 pc. set in the booklet but I made booties to match.....I found a cute pattern and substituted the set pattern stitch for the original cuff.

I hope to offer this set for sale soon. It's a 0-3 mos. size. I am also working on a Christening Gown. I hope to sell that as well. It's made from thread and will take me some time to finish. But no hurry :)

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My New Toy

I never had any interest in a ball winder. I thought they were more for people who spin or only buy hanks of yarn. Well, JoAnn was having a sale and I was getting a lot of positive feedback about winders. I recently bought some mill ends and they were a mess....

But here is what they look like now....

I Russian Joined the ends of the hanks together while I was winding. That saves a lot of time when I go to use the yarn. I would certainly recommend that if you do a lot of crocheting and have a stash that could use some organization, you would do well to have one of these. They are real easy to use. This model was on sale for $30.

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Back to the Kitch-en

I was inspired by a very nice lady on Ravelry named Kim, who featured the Strawberry Potholder in her projects. I thought it was terrific, so I asked her where she got the pattern. She wrote and told me it was from the Leisure Arts Leaflet # 851. Somewhere in the back of my mind, that sounded familiar, so I went into my pattern file and, lo and behold, I HAD that leaflet! So I made the Strawberry Potholder, but I couldn't stop there. I also made the Rose Square and the Ridged Hexigon. I dug deeper into my patterns and found the #281 leaflet and made the Heart Potholder. I also did the hexigon potholder from leaflet #429. These are all older leaflets from the 80's and I dont think they are still in print but you might be able to find them on E-bay or a similar site.

And then I thought about one more. So I went into my copies of free online patterns and I found the Polish Star Potholder. Something tells me I tried this one years ago and gave up. Well, this time I was able to figure it out and I have to admit it came out pretty nice. You can find the pattern for that one at http://www.freepatterns.com/ . It would make a nice afghan if I had about 10 years of my life to devote to it...LOL!

I will probably sell these, since I already have plenty of potholders. Or if I end up involved in a potholder swap, I am all set. :)

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The Flamies

Here ye, here ye! All crocheters, newbies or old timers! Its time to vote for the best in crochet. Time to vote for The Flamies Awards. Laurie Wheeler, founder the the Crochet Liberation Front, has created these awards to honor and acknowledge those talented people responsible for the best in crochet. Just click on THIS LINK and vote for your favorites. This event coincides with the beginning of NATCROMO (National Crochet Month) in March. So go and vote....support your favorite yarn craft and on behalf of all those nominated, thank you!

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12 to 24 Point Round Ripple Afghan

Ever since I saw this design about a year or so ago, I have been wanting to try one of these. Its not as elaborate as some I have seen, but I didnt want to drag this project out too long. I bought the yarn months ago....the Bernat Chunky was being closed out and the price was great for those 11 oz. skeins. I finally decided to give it a go about a couple weeks ago. And you see the result. I think it came out rather nicely. I used the round ripple instructions on Crochetville as a guide but the increase they use from 12 to 24 is to make small granny squares, sew these on and then continue in the ripple pattern. I am way to lazy to bother with that :D So I improvised a way to stitch diamonds into the ghan for the increases. It worked. I found out later that someone else did their increases in their ghan in a similar fashion. You can find the proceedure HERE.

I gave the ghan to my b/f.....he really liked it. I only wish the Bernat wasnt discontinued....it was a great yarn for this project. If I can find a similar yarn, I may make another one. My son has a round bed and can you imagine how cool this would look on a round bed? :)

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It's Finally Finished....

.....and I can cross another WIP off my list. This is another Lotus Bag, which I promised my D I would make for her over a year and a half ago. I had the bag crocheted....it was the hand sewing that made me put it off. Well, this morning, I got up and said to myself, "I am going to finish that bag today."...and I did.

She is going to faint......she thought I would NEVER finish it....he,he,he...

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More Socks

I have been working on this pair of socks for my SIL for a couple weeks, off and on. I think this is the nicest pair I have made yet. I used Regia Silk Color....its a very soft yarn. And not stiff like some sock yarns I have used. Not splitty, either. I am going to get more of this yarn and see if I can find similar types. I want to try making myself a pair.

I have sock making down to a science, now. I can make a pair of socks without a pattern. As long as you understand the parts of a sock and how each relates to the other, its fairly easy to construct one. And if the yarn has enough stretch, it can be very forgiving and you dont have to be perfect on the measurments. After all, socks you buy in a store stretch to fit many foot shapes and sizes. Crocheted socks should do the same.

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Sweetheart Ripple Afghan

I have the flu......lucky me. So I am housebound again...sigh....

But that made it a perfect time for me to start working on this ghan. I am making it for my mother for Valentines Day, so that forces me to finish it :) This design can be found in the current issue of Crochet World Magazine.....its on the cover. Kim Guzman is the designer......she is so clever! I love the fact that this ghan is reversable. The heart design is so cute....I know my mother is going to love it! I had to use different yarn because the specified yarn (Simply Soft Heather) wasnt available so I went with RH Soft and its working up just fine.

I didnt work to gauge so this ghan is smaller than it should be, but thats ok because I really want it to be a coverlet for her bed in the nursing home. Because its a hospital bed, everything has to be tucked under the mattress so there is nothing interfering with the bed guards and the mechanism. I didnt want this to be tucked in, so its just wide enough to lay on top of the sheets.

Go out and get this magazine if you can and give it a try. I will post a photo of the finished ghan when I am done.

1/27 - Here is the finished afghan!

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